Dubliners do battle for £250k ‘Apprentice’ prize

A burlesque dancer, a hypnotherapist with a matchmaking firm, a pub quiz boss, and two Dubliners are among the candidates in this year’s series of The Apprentice.

They are each hoping to impress Alan Sugar and his advisers Karen Brady and Nick Hewer to survive the weekly boardroom massacres in an effort to win a £250,000 (€317,000) investment in their businesses.

The show will this year feature 20 contestants — four more than normal — but the show will last the usual 12 weeks, which means more than one elimination on a number of shows.

Pamela Uddin, 23, from Dublin, is an assistant brand manager. After graduating from university with first-class honours, Pamela won a scholarship to complete her masters in international business.

She said: “I am street and people savvy as well as being business savvy.”

Róisín Hogan, 32, also from Dublin, is a chartered accountant following her dream to start her own business. She says she is also a keen poker player in her spare time.

“Manipulate, persuade, and conquer,” said Róisín. “I would identify my opponent’s weaknesses and pick them off one by one.”

The series begins with a double bill next week with programmes on consecutive days, on Tuesday and Wednesday, before settling into a regular midweek 9pm slot.